Mikotsuru from Hishitomo Jozo in Shimosuwa, Nagano, has a remarkable story of revival: the brewery filed for bankruptcy in 2017 after nearly a century of operation, but was relaunched in 2018 under new ownership with a fully rebuilt facility and a new brewmaster. In just its second production run after reopening, the Mikotsuru Junmai Ginjo Yamae Nishiki took the top Champion Sake title at the 2021 International Wine Challenge, establishing the resurrected brand as one of Nagano's most closely watched names.
